Tauranga Cruise Port Guide - CruisePortWiki.com

Tauranga, New Zealand

View from Mount Maunganui

Introduction

Tauranga is a beach resort town and 40 miles north of the seismically active town of Rotorua.

Visas

As of Oct 1 2019, travellers from most countries will need to apply for a NZeTA (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority) linked to your passport. It is valid for multiple entries and two years. https://www.immigration.govt.nz/new-zealand-visas

Where You're Docked

Cruise ships actually dock in the town of Mount Maunganui which has restaurants, shops, and a nice beach. You can take a shuttle to Tauranga which is a bigger town or head out to Rotorua.

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Money and Tipping

Exchange Rates Live

New Zealand's currency is the dollar (NZD). Like Australia, prices displayed are inclusive of all taxes. Tipping is not necessary.

Local Transportation

A shuttle should be provided to Tauranga but you can explore Mount Maunganui easily from the pier.

Public bus info here http://www.baybus.co.nz/

Hotels

Search hotels in Tauranga here

Sights

If you are in decent shape, hiking up Mount Maunganui isn't too hard and will give you great views of the area. Popular beaches are on the north side of the peninsula.

In Rotorua, there are various competing thermal villages where you can see and smell geysers, bubbling mud pots, and steam vents. These include Te Puia, Wai-O-Tapu and Whakarewarewa. You can take a gondola ride up Mt Ngongotaha for a view of the area and drive luges downhill as well.

For Lord of the Ring fans, the Hobbiton movie set is less than an hours drive west of Tauranga. Nature's form of LED lighting, the Waitomo Glowworm caves are another hour west from Hobbiton. http://www.hobbitontours.com/ http://www.waitomocaves.com/

Shopping & Restaurants

There is one main street, Maunganui Rd, in Mount Maunganui with shops and restaurants and a couple of main streets in Tauranga.

Internet

Cafes and restaurants may provide free wifi to customers.

Maps